Endoscopy unit opens at George Eliot Hospital

IDP-designed unit to improve capacity and enhance the patient experience

A new endoscopy unit has been completed at George Eliot Hospital in Nuneaton, Warwickshire.

Coventry-based IDP designed and project managed the purpose-built centre which marks a £4.1m investment by George Eliot Hospital NHS Trust to expand existing endoscopy services.

The building has been designed to improve capacity for endoscopy to meet increasing demand, improve the efficiency of patient flow, enhance the patient experience, and ensure that both men and women have separate facilities before, and after, their procedure.

The new unit, which will deliver improvements to diagnostic and therapeutic endoscopy waiting times, will also improve patient outcomes.

The completion is another milestone for the hospital’s endoscopy service, which was recognised earlier this year by the Royal College of Physicians for quality and safety.

The college awarded the team Joint Advisory Group for GI Endoscopy (JAG) Accreditation in January after it met all of the requirements expected.

The new building will help the team continue to comply with the high standards set by JAG and help it maintain accreditation status.

A modular design was chosen to enable the unit to be built within a reduced timescale compared to a more-conventional construction.

It also gives the trust the potential to create an additional storey for possible further expansion in the future.

The 920sq m unit was constructed in an existing courtyard, which involved IDP generating a design that met operational requirements and within the confines of that building footprint.

Sean Smith, associate at IDP, said: “We are delighted to have been involved in providing George Eliot Hospital NHS Trust with a modern and functional facility.

“Our designs will enable it to expand, maintain the service’s accreditation status and, most importantly, improve its endoscopy service to patients.

“A key aspect of the design of the building was to improve the service’s decontamination facilities and enhance patient flow providing separate facilities for male and female patients in line with current privacy and dignity policies.”

Graham Dodd, project management team Leader at IDP, added: “Our project management team worked with the George Eliot Hospital NHS Trust to deliver the project on time and within budget, and we look forward to seeing the unit become operational.”

A new reception area, pre-assessment, changing, treatment and recovery rooms are among the features of the new unit, which was constructed by modular healthcare specialist, MTX, and will open its doors to patients this spring.

The endoscopy unit provides a full range of diagnostic and therapeutic endoscopy services to patients across Nuneaton, Bedworth, North Warwickshire and surrounding areas.

Dr Edmond Sung, clinical lead for Endoscopy, said: “With state-of-the-art facility and equipment we aim to deliver safe and best-quality care for endoscopy, enhancing patient experience with privacy and dignity at the core of its design.”